- Because what we do for workand how we learn are inextricably linkedwe're gonna shift now from the new worlds of workto the new worlds of learning.Remember that our industrial era model of education,that's designed to manufacture learners on a mass scale,is no longer up to the task of preparing young peoplefor adult life in a time of rapid change.Instead, we need a completely new model of learningthat lasts throughout our entire lives,and helps us to continually adaptto a rapidly changing world.

Now perhaps the best and earliest overviewof lifelong learning was in a book calledThe Three Boxes of Life and How to Get Out of Themby Dick Bolles,who also wrote What Color Is Your Parachute?The enduring career manual.In Three Boxes, Dick Bolles saidthat we have three major components of our lives.A big chunk of learning at the beginning,then a big chunk of work,then finally a big chunk of leisurein what I call the period formerly known as retirement.He advocated the need to completely change that modelof education from a single box at the beginning of our livesto a model of continuous self-education.

So that's rule number one of the new rules of learning.You must become a lifelong learner.As adults, we accept the work worldthat will constantly change.So our knowledge of the worldhas to continually change as well.We must think of ourselves as lifelong learners,and we have to become adept at navigatingour individual paths to work opportunities.That's probably an uncomfortable reality for many,especially for those who grew up workingin long-term jobs or fields.

But if you are going to thrive in disruptive times,you need to think and act completely differently.So let's take a look at a few strategies.First, you need to continually have learning goals.Each of us has to continually developa set of topics that fascinates us.The shelf life of knowledge is becoming shorter and shorterso we need to set those goals for ourselveson the kinds of knowledges that we want to grow,and the kinds of experiences we wanna develop.Next, it's really critical to do an annual self-inventory.

Because we're constantly growing and gaining new experienceswe have to understand what makes each of us unique,what makes us tick on an ongoing basis.We have annual health check-ups with a doctor.We also need annual life design check-ups.When we assess how our work matches upwith our capabilities and goals.This also guides the choices we makeabout our future work,and what we'll need to learn and want to learnto help us get there.

Finally, you need to develop transferableand self-management skillsin addition to your knowledges.So much of formalized learning is aboutdeveloping those knowledges, butwe also have to look for learning opportunitiesthat emphasize developing the skillsthat are transferrable and that we use to manage ourselves.In the digital era, where so much informationis available online,those transferable skills are what will allow usto continually adapt.Look, I understand that lifelong learningprobably sounds a little exhausting.

Doesn't it stop at some point?Sure, depending on the kind of work you choose,you could find a field or workthat changes more slowly than others.But I have to emphasizethat lifelong learning isn't a chore,it's an opportunity.There are so many exciting opportunities to learnin so many different arenas.It shouldn't be an issue of trying to findsomething that excites you,the challenge really should betrying to choose between all the different thingsthat you wish that you could learn.

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Released

6/8/2017

In order to remain competitive in a world of constant change, job seekers and workers need to adapt. The changing nature and duration of employment can be scary for job seekers and those within industries who are being disrupted by automation and AI. In this course, career expert Gary Bolles helps job seekers and employees prepare themselves for the new reality of work. He outlines how workers need to think differently about their chosen career path, learning, and their life outside of work. To remain employable, lifelong learning isn't just nice—it's necessary.

LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com) is a PMI Registered Education Provider. This course qualifies for professional development units (PDUs). To view the activity and PDU details for this course, click here.The PMI Registered Education Provider logo is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.